Biscuit malts dominate up front and that flavor is quickly overtaken by a strong citrus flavor at first and then a more tame banana spice that fades into the finish with a touch of alcohol warmth, flavor, and bitterness.

Medium bodied and a very high level of carbonation. A nice peppery feel to it. May be a little too carbonated, lots of reflux going on inside.

More User Reviews:

The beer pours a clear golden color with a large white head. The aroma is full of biscuit malt, with a dose of Belgian yeast and citrus from the hops. There is also a little bit of spice - seemingly cinnamon and coriander. The flavor has a lot of malt and yeast character, as well as some sugar, lemons and oranges. The alcohol is noticeable but the beer is still easy to drink. High, prickly carbonation and medium mouthfeel.

That stip of paper across the cork cage sure does fit it's purpose, this cork popped better than most champagne. Do be careful.

Poured into a tulip glass, the first glass poured majority of a thick froathy head. Second glass was easily controlled, creating a golden yellow with a two finger thich head. Lacing is minimal.

Scent is strong of citrus, spice, yeast, and alcohol. The taste is of spice and lemons with a bread like after taste. Interestingly the spices come back in the very end of the flavors to finish things off.

Mouthfeel is overall average with a high alcohol burn.

Comparisons to Duvel are fairly acurate. All though I would put this as what Duvel would be if more care were put into it.

good aroma and taste. nice balance of hops,etc.Good grain expressed. Enjoyed the rich taste. Very nice Belgian style beer with golden color. Odd in that when I opened it after a day in the cellar, the cork shot to the ceiling. Way too much carbonation!!! Maybe I had an unusual bottle.Big head.

S - Very little to it: wheat or barley, some yeast, a slight sour note.

T - Subdued Belgian pale. Sweet, but not overbearingly so; the typical Belgian candi flavor comes in late, and if not in subtle fashion, then at least not huge. I get a mouthful of grain, almost like a farmhouse ale.

M - Medium, almost medium light. Refreshing, yet with clingy oils. Despite the tons of carbonation in my bottle, this is an easy beer to toss around the mouth, although there is a slight sting. Absolutely no hint of the 8.5%, which is impressive, indeed.

O - This beer could easily go down on a hot day outdoors, or as a nightcap in the study. The mixture of wheaty goodness and Belgian sugary sweetness, balancing out right in the middle, makes it pretty versatile. Paired easily with some sharp cheddar and spicy soup.

WARNING! Once you remove the cage on this one, the cork will likely shoot out like a cannon! Mine certainly did! Be careful with this one!

Beglian Style Golden Ale pours a lighter golden color. It’s clear and looks a little yellowish with backlighting. Carbonation is extremely active! The head on this one is easily over four fingers in height! It’s white in color and takes forever to dissipate. It’s a bit annoying. Lacing was sticky and moderate.

The nose is pretty good. Maybe a tad weak, but pretty good. It’s a little biscuity and fruity up front. Apple and pear scents are noted early on. It’s a bit earthy and grassy throughout. Smells like there’s a bit of mild noble hops present. Belgian yeast is in the mix and adds some light spicy notes. Smells mostly like pepper and light clove. Alcohol is there, but isn’t too strong in the mix. Honestly, 8.5% seems about right.

The flavor is a bit better. Enough to trigger a score bump. The malt base does have biscuity flavor. Tastes like pilsner malt. Fruit notes of apple and pear are noted early on. Belgian yeast follows and tastes really nice. It adds spicy clove and pepper flavors. Earthy, grainy, and grassy notes are prominent throughout. I can’t say for sure, but it seems like there’s some use of noble hops here. I like it. Alcohol is there, but isn’t overbearing. It’s not warm at all. Finishes fruity, grassy, and a little dry.

The body is medium. Carbonation is active and a bit buzzy. It’s not quite smooth, but it’s not bad. It goes down easy enough. This 750 is disappearing with relative ease.

Belgian Style Golden Ale is a pretty good collaboration from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and the Abbey of New Clairvaux. Its biggest problem is the overcarbonation. That needs to be toned down quite a bit. Pretty solid otherwise.

Poured with a half finger of head on a fairly clear, golden colored body. The aroma is wonderful. Lots of grain and a little bright apple and pear.The taste is a crisp fruity (apple and pear again) with a touch of lemon bitterness. Nicely balanced and light.The texture is fizzy with a crisp body. Delicious.

T: Green apple peels, some pear & just a touch of coriander up front. Pears & a slight bit of dirt as this warms, just a bit of peppery hops & slight boozey warming. Finishes very fruitty with some phenolic twang & a little bit of lemon hop bite

Corked and caged 750 ml bottle into a large globe glass. This Golden Ale offers an almost self ejecting cork and is firmly bottle conditioned. Pours a golden with a touch of haze and a rambunctious meringue like head. A Duvel next to it is clearer yet clearly less carbonated. Offers long retention and solid lace

Bit of lemon pepper spice on the aroma is part of a pleasant yeast profile. Light pils. malts offer a neutral bready backdrop. Quite similar yeast profile vs. Duvel but with a subtle, yet not significant, difference in malt profile and with a fuller and more consistent note. Overall a bit more malty in that regard and closer to a Tripel in structure.

Flavor segues well from the aroma with lemon and spice, some green apple and a bit of hop spice. Well attenuated, clean and dry overall. Spicy, peppery and nicely carbonated on the tongue. Carbonation and hop presence yield a full feel for the style which lingers nicely.

Overall an immaculate brew that lacks the morphing yeast aroma of Duvel but adds a depth to the feel and finish...

Wow, I must have gotten a bad bottle. It opened with the slightest of pops and poured nearly flat with just a small wispy white head.

The aroma is light and floral with some yeasty spice. Light pale malt mixes with some grassy hops. The yeast brings some clove and hay. Not big on the coriander which is a huge plus in my book.

The taste is of a light pils malt, cracker like. Nice floral/honey sweetness. Enjoyable clove flavors from the yeast with an appropriate touch of coriander. Some bubblegum and hay notes from the yeast as well.

The feel like the appearance is rather dead from this bottle. Very weak carbonation gives the brew some life but no where near what a BSPA should be. Sweet and light on the palate with just enough grassy bitterness.

I think I got a dud bottle so I will re-review at some point. The beer tastes good and has a nice aroma so I have no issues buying another. I expect my grade to go up.

750 ml bottle. Head is prodigious and the retention is good. bright golden ale with a touch of haze. A constant and lively carbonation that keeps the head sitting two fingers proud also fades slowly to a light decoration on the sides of my glass. Smell has light pilsner malt and healthy Belgian funk. Horse blanket, dry white wine, apples and pears. A mild peppery spiciness and soap. Taste has an almost dubbel like profile. Dark fruits, raisins, figs and cherries. A bit of oak based vanilla. Malt is light and sugary, a solid pils and faint caramel, heavy crystal. Feel is full and creamy with the lively carbonation adding to joy of sipping this one. This is a complex sipper that has a bi-polar attraction. One is the malt smoothness, the other a yeast based pepper, spice and licorice that opens up the relatively subdued hop earthiness and allows it to balance the higher but hidden abv and keep it light and drinkable. Feel is the strong point for me. Creaminess is counter by a carbonation like this, but they coexist. Fullness is countered by drinkability. Somehow this sipper quickly vanishes while being sipped. Jus a solid and enjoyable beer at this time of year. Nice